DRINK A WILD-CARD WHISKY
“Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware,” warns Burns in his Address to a Haggis, and nowhere is this more evident than in the country’s most famous product, whisky. To be called scotch whisky, there is a strict set of rules that must be adhered to, yet that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for some innovation, a little playfulness and sideways thinking.
If you’re looking for a truly unusual wildcard whisky to really give your Burns Night a twist, why not try cracking open a bottle of Starward. Made in the same way as scotch single malt, this whisky hails all the way from Melbourne, where huge temperature swings and the humid environment results in an “elemental maturation” – and a darn tasty tipple to boot.
If you’re after something that not only tastes amazing but looks great too, try the range of single malts from
That Boutique-y Whisky Company. With their graphic novel-style labels depicting everything from the whiskymaking process through to a velociraptor attacking a shark (yes, really…) there’s an irreverence on show, which Burns would definitely approve of. Try the fruity and spicy Glendullan 19 Year Old: if the whisky doesn’t make you smile, the label, featuring a cartoon space Olympics, certainly will.
For the timorous beastie of the Scotch industry, small but mighty, look no further than Glen Scotia from the once-great whisky production powerhouse of the Campbeltown region. Located at the end of the Kintyre peninsula, it was once home to more than 30 distilleries; now it has just three. Try the full-bodied Victoriana from Glen Scotia, where oak spices mix well with fruity blackcurrant.
Many people assume, wrongly, that all scotch carries a smoky, peated note – those that do typically come from the Isle of Islay. Try Bowmore’s 15 year old “Darkest” for a devilishly good pairing with a spicy haggis. And for one that comes with a cunningly delightful flavour twist, opt for Signet from Glenmorangie. Made using heavily roasted barley or “coffee malt” due to its intense flavour, you’ll find wonderful notes of rich dark chocolate and Italian espresso.
So raise your glass to Scotland’s most famous poet, and wish him a hearty Slàinte Mhath!